§ 51. Mr. Stokesasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether civil servants and officers on the active list of the Army, Navy and Air Force receive 363 fees from the British Broadcasting Corporation for broadcasts delivered by them on subjects pertaining to their official duties; and, if so, whether he will arrange for such fees to be surrendered to the Exchequer, less any appropriate deduction for expenses incurred by the individual in making the broadcast?
§ Captain CrookshankThe general practice is that no fees are payable to a civil servant or officer on the active list of the Navy, Army or Air Force for broadcasts which are necessary or desirable to enable the responsible Department to carry out its recognised duties to the community. In cases where the talk serves no such purpose, the general practice of Departments is to allow the officer concerned to make his own terms with the Corporation, whether or not the subject of the talk pertains to his official duties. All talks on matters pertaining to the officer's official duties require the prior approval of higher authority. These arrangements are not wholly appropriate in present conditions, and, in conjunction with the Departments chiefly concerned and the B.B.C., I have been considering what modifications are needed. When agreement has been reached regarding the revised arrangements, I will communicate further with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. StokesCan the Financial Secretary say when it is likely that agreement will be reached on this matter, as it is causing some concern in Civil Service circles?
§ Captain CrookshankI have not heard anything about causing concern, but I do not think it will be very long now before agreement is reached.